full-disclosure - Rooting Linux with a floppy

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Message-ID: <20050716195516.GA5645@mordor.angband.thangorodrim.de>
Date: Sat Jul 16 21:00:20 2005
From: als at thangorodrim.de (als@...ngorodrim.de)
Subject: Rooting Linux with a floppy

On Thu, Jul 14, 2005 at 04:23:31PM -0800, Sumy wrote:
> You have lost your root password on your linux box and now you
> consider formatting
> everythign to regain control? Your admin is a moron that leaves the
> server available
> physically for everybody? You wanna test your Linux box? Don't worry
> if you have at least
> a floppy rescue disk under hand,you can root it ;-) )
> 
> The problem with the new version of Linux since 6.2 is :
> http://www.exploitx.com/69/rooting-linux-with-a-floppy/

*yawn*

This was old news 10 years ago.

Unless you are facing a very special setup (for instance crypto disks 
even for system installation), you can easily take over most UNIX systems
if you are able to boot from a medium of your choice.

That's why physical security is important too.

As a rule: You usually can take control of any system provided you have
sufficient physical access to it. 

BTW: there are plenty of errors and omissions in the web page
     advertised by you.

Regards,
      Alex.
-- 
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and
 looks like work."                                      -- Thomas A. Edison